Dancing With Fire

- Power -

Power Maya was something else. Within a few days I had kissed Imran then made peace with my sexual frustration over him, while simultaneously receiving and accepting an invitation to have dinner with Adam Kai. I had killed a ridiculous fantasy and created an impossible reality all at once.

In addition, work passed smoothly for the week, and the crazy, stoned night we had at the office seemed to clear the air between Imran and I. Our interactions were easy, light, and even the work was moving along at a great pace, as though the tension valve was released and I was able to function better without it. As Friday drew nearer, we had finally brought our frustrating project to a close, and it was going through the motions of being finalised to handover to the client. Things were going great.

Then why did I feel so goddamn nervous?

Probably because the dinner with Adam arrived in no time. I facetimed Besan while getting ready on Friday night.

"So, should I fuck him?" I asked, pulling on a floral halter neck ruffled top over my black skinny jeans. He had picked a great Greek restaurant in South Bank close to the river, and it was pretty lowkey, so I didn't need to dress up too much for it.

"Whoa, babe, slow down!" Besan squealed, sounding scandalised. She recovered quickly enough to nod approvingly at my outfit. "Why don't you get to know the man before you use him for his body."

"I'm only half joking. I don't think it's a date, but damn I wouldn't mind. The man's got a girlfriend." I sighed. I pulled on my favourite denim jacket and glided on some lip gloss to finish.

"What girlfriend?"

"That tall, leggy blonde he was with at the event!" I rolled my eyes. Besan scoffed.

"Nah, forget her. That's his assistant, Shannon. I dealt with her for a lot of the set up for the event. You can make tonight whatever you want to make it." she said dreamily. Besan was tough when she needed to be, but she was a sucker for romance. I wasn't usually, but this time it was a little contagious. My heartbeat quickened.

"Maybe I can make it something sweet! Well, I'll keep you posted." Checking the time, I blew her a kiss and said goodbye and headed out.

I arrived at the restaurant before Adam did and picked an outdoor table. It was breezy outside but had warmed up enough that spring's approach finally seemed believable. I hung my jacket on the back of my chair and relaxed for a minute, taking in the view. The bougainvilleas along the arbour were just starting to bud, dotting the curved metal frames in fuschia, and the wind sifted sweetly through the leaves on the nearby trees with satisfying rustles. Couples and families strolled underneath them, gently lit by the ground spotlights.

Adam came through as I was cruising the menu.

"I hope you weren't waiting too long," he sat down across from me, looking fresh. I was pleasantly surprised to see him in a light, pale blue jumper and jeans. He dressed down pretty well.
"No, I've only just got here." I beamed and handed him my menu.

The waitress dropped by to our table shortly after and took our order and I settled back into my chair. He looked good, and I was feeling good. The nervousness I'd initially felt around him had worn off and was replaced by excitement. We exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes as our waitress came back with our drinks, but I wanted to know more about this beautiful man and what dimensions there were to Adam Kai. I wasn't going to be a bumbling mess in front of him. I took a stab in the dark.
"So, this... isn't a work dinner, is it, Adam?"
"No," he smiled sheepishly, "I appreciate your directness though. To be frank, seeing you after all these years, and experiencing your many sides, you've inspired me a little."
I took a careful sip of my drink, trying to hide my astonishment at his returned directness.
"I'm incredibly flattered but I really can't imagine how."
"I deal with a lot of people these days." he replied, "The corporate ladder is quite high but frankly boring. The higher up you are, the more people only tell you what you want to hear. That's what I deal with day in, day out. At 7-Eleven, you spoke your mind so freely - it was the most refreshing experience I'd had in a while."
I pitied the man if being yelled at was the most excitement he'd gotten in some time. I was somehow happy to oblige, though.